Chapter 3

Katniss cranks up the radio in her 2006 powder blue VW Beetle and sings along as she waits for Prim to finish getting ready for school. She sees her uncle exit the barn leading out his quarter horse, Sully, his chestnut coat shining in the morning sunlight. Haymitch waves as he mounts up and heads out to the pasture to check on the cattle.

Prim comes running from the house, a bagel clutched in her hand, and her bookbag bouncing against her back with each step. Caroline steps out on the porch and waves as she slides into the car. "Bye girls. Have a great day! Remember you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! I love you both."

"We will Mama. Love you too." Katniss calls through the open window, as Prim already has a mouthful of bagel.

Katniss stops in front of Panem Middle School and waves at Prim's best friend, Rue Stenberg, who waits patiently as Prim gathers her bookbag and lunchbox. Prim opens her door, turns to fist bump with Katniss, and walks over to join Rue.

"Don't forget I have choir practice this afternoon so Rue's mom will give you a ride home." Katniss calls out the open window. Prim just gives her a thumbs up in reply and continues catching up on the past weekend events with Rue.

Horns beep impatiently behind Katniss, she quickly shifts into drive and pulls out of the parking lot. Panem High School looms a block up ahead. She parks near Madge's white convertible mustang. Peeta's truck is parked farther up the lot. As she nears, she sees Rye Mellark is stretched out in the bed of the truck as Peeta sits on the tailgate eating a blueberry muffin, a pint-sized carton of milk balanced on his thigh.

"Long night Rye." Katniss quips. She knocks his boot as she settles on the tailgate next to Peeta who hands her a muffin and kisses her cheek.

"Hush Everdeen. I'm trying to catch some extra Z's before Algebra." Rye replies gruffly.

"He was up late last night arguing with Glimmer. He finally broke it off with her." Peeta tells her. "She's been spending a lot of time with Gloss Johnson." Gimmer and Rye had been dating for six months and it had been nothing but trouble throughout the whole relationship. Glimmer with her long silky blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and curvy figure was beautiful and she knew it. She would bat her fake eyelashes at any guy she saw. She liked making Rye jealous.

"That Big Ape's been sniffing around her ever since we started dating. He finally succeeded. I saw them making out in his truck outside the ice cream shop Saturday night. I'm going to kick his bleached teeth in and bust his perfect nose." Rye sits up giving up on sleep.

"I wouldn't put it past her. She always flirts with Peeta and he's your own brother. Last month when we all went to the movies, she kept brushing up against him and touching his bicep. My fingers were itching for my bow so I could ruin her perky face. Mama would tan my hide if I shamed her like that though."

"You don't have to worry about her with me. Girls like Glimmer don't interest me. She just likes causing drama." Peeta assures Katniss and then turns to Rye. "You'll get your chance against Gloss soon man. We have a match against the Capital Elite next month and he's one of their best wrestlers. Him and Cato Jameson."

"That's not good enough in a sanctioned match I'd have to play by the rules, and not draw blood. I'm not sure I could hold back from really hurting him with all the rage I feel."

Katniss catches sight of familiar blonde hair moving toward them. "Uh oh, here she comes now. I don't think she got the message that your over Rye." Katniss sneers as Glimmer saunters over. She turns up her nose at Katniss and Peeta and focuses her blue eyes on Rye.

"You hung up on me last night, baby" Glimmer pouts at Rye.

"I had nothing more to say Glimmer. We're done. I don't want someone who flirts and sneaks around behind my back."

Glimmer huffs dramatically and waves her hands in the air. "It's not like that. Me and Gloss are just friends. It doesn't mean anything. Just some harmless flirting between old friends."

"Yeah, sure, sticking your tongue down his throat is just harmless flirting." He laughs bitterly. "I don't care anymore. Spend time with whoever you want. I'm not your boyfriend anymore, so it's none of my business. Come on guys let's get to class." Rye storms off. Peeta and Katniss quickly follow leaving Glimmer glaring in their wake.

"Poor Rye. He really did love her, and she just stomped all over his heart." Katniss sighs as Peeta wraps his arm around her shoulders.

"He'll be ok." Peeta nods to where Rye stands venting his sorrows to Delly Cartwright, Peeta's childhood friend. "Delly will help him through it. They'd make a good couple. If only they'd realize it."

Well they'll both be at Finnick and Annie's wedding on Saturday. Maybe all the romance in the air will help them open their eyes to each other.

"Here's hoping." Peeta says as he opens the door for Katniss to enter the school.